A RING of drug dealers could face a long spell behind bars after families refused to turn to a blind eye in Staffordshire.

A RING of drug dealers could face a long spell behind bars after families refused to turn to a blind eye in Staffordshire.

Nine people were arrested in raids across Stafford following a tip-off to police from families battling to keep drugs out of their neighbourhoods.

Staffordshire Police say they were acting on information from the public about "drug offences and property linked to money laundering" when they executed seven search warrants in Stafford.

Two 23-year-old men, a 20-year-old and a 33-year-old man, all from Stafford, were arrested in the raids.

The remaining five men have been bailed to return to a police station at a later date following "forensic enquiries".

Detectives say a "quantity of drugs", which include cannabis and amphetamines, were recovered during the raids as well as cash and property - but no value on haul has yet been revealed.

Staffordshire Police is urging other families to follow suit and pick up the phone to help keep drugs off their streets.

Stafford Neighbourhood Policing Unit Commander Juliet Prince said: "Following information received from members of the public relating to drug offences and property linked to money laundering, one search warrant was executed on May 31, followed by six further warrants executed on June 1.

"A quantity of drugs including cannabis and amphetamines were recovered along with cash and property."

She added: "We take information taken from members of the public very seriously whether it is received via Crimestoppers or any other means."

Anyone with information about drugs activity in their neighbourhoods are asked to telephone Staffordshire Police on 08453 302010 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.